RAS43 wrote:
pbar,
Since you actually do double tow in California would you explain the license requirements. I have read some amazing claims here about what is required. Just curious.
Everything I've read in this post seems correct for CA (commercial Class A with doubles/triples endorsement required).
The written test is pretty straightforward but not being a big rig driver, it is hard to visualize some of the details with the air brake setup, tow dolly, etc. For the driving test and pre trip inspection, again pretty straightforward but you had better be accomplished at backing your 5ver. They make you "parallel park" the trailer between two cones that are a bit longer than the trailer but too short to fit the truck and you need to get the trailer between the cones and close to and parallel to the curb. For me, the pre ride inspection was the most difficult but only because it was long and there are a lot of things to memorize.
Your max GVWR for your commercial license is limited to what you bring for the driver test. In my case, I brought my 5ver and truck, so I am limited to under 10K lbs GVWR. This means that although I have a commercial Class A, I can't go jump in a big rig and be legal without retesting in a heavier combo. I only obtained my Class A to allow me to tow our boat and motorcycle trailer behind the 5ver, so this limitation isn't a big deal to me.
Over the years, there has been a lot of misinformation about double towing in CA. This has mostly been straightened out by the clarity of the newer laws/requirements on this subject in the current handbooks. I've been pulled over twice by the same CHP officer in Barstow, 2 years apart. He told me that I am the only one he's pulled over that had the correct license. Apparently, a lot of SoCal folks double tow without the correct license and this officer knows what is required. In all the times I've been pulled over, I've never been measured for length or asked for a weight slip. And I'm long at 72'. The CHP just wanted to see that I had the correct license. I carry a copy of the commercial handbook with me, just in case they question my length...
After towing a heavy truck camper for a few years, I'll take the serenity of double towing over the white knuckle experiences (mostly in wind) of my truck camper anytime! For those that have towed a truck camper with SRW, you know what I mean...
Good luck,
Phil
